The official Wafa news agency reported that the country’s armed forces intensified their operations around Gaza City, the coastal enclave’s most populous city, on Thursday.

The campaign could significantly increase the number of casualties due to the high population density in the area, where some 550,000 people are currently concentrated, he warned.

Of that number, some 180,000 are displaced persons from the Northern Governorate, who fled the Israeli ground offensive launched on October 5 that has now reached Gaza City.

The fighter jets intensified their air strikes on densely populated areas, resulting in the destruction of numerous buildings in recent days and the death of dozens of citizens, the source stressed.

The news media pointed out that the population now fears being forced to flee further south, towards the Al-Mawasi area, declared a security area by the army, although its planes are systematically bombing it.

Palestinian media announced the death on Sunday of writer and journalist Muhammad Hijazi, who was hit by bombs dropped on the north of the enclave.

A fatality was also reported in the southern city of Rafah, bordering Egypt.

Since the beginning of the current phase of the conflict on October 7, 2023, more than 45,700 citizens have lost their lives in the Strip and almost 109,000 have been wounded, according to official figures.

mh/mem/rob